Lubricating compound



Patented June 9,1942

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LUBRICATING COMPOUND No Drawing. Application February 26, 1940, Serial No. 320,894

2 Claims.

The invention relates to a lubricant of the same or similar type as that of U. S. Patent No. 2,043,638, wherein it was disclosed that finely divided zinc oxide dispersed in an oily lubricating medium improves the lubricating qualites of that medum. This invention is based on the discovery that basic lead carbonate similarly dispersed in oily bases, and under proper amount and conditions, will likewise produce lubricants of better lubricating value than the base itself, forming new lubricating compositions having uses in many directions.

The conditions under which this material "operates with the effect stated require that it be sufliciently finely divided, to retain its dispersed condition, and in this respect, the finer grades .of basic carbonate to be had on the market are sufficiently fine, also that the oily components in which it is dispersed be of such character or so combined as not to saponify the carbonate, and finally, that the carbonate be present in amount not less than 3 /2% nor more than 15%.

Departing in either direction from the percentage range just stated produces negative or opposite eifects, which is to say, results in more rapid wear of the bearing surfaces than would occur by the use of the base alone, without the carbonate. Within the limits the reduction in the rate of wear, as compared to the base without the addition, is substantial; for example, where a given oily base resulted in bearing wear to the extent of 3.75 units, a composition of the same base with 5% of basic lead carbonate dispersed in it and unsaponified, tested under precisely identical conditions, produced only 2.5 units of .wear, indicating an improvement in the order of 33%. 'Some variation may be expected as between different bases, but consistently good results are obtained by the use of about 5%. With most bases even a slight increase above the range results in wear equal to that of the base alone or no improvement while further increase results in serious abrasion.

As examples, the following formulae are given:

Per cent (1) Animal or vegetable fats saponified with Ca(OH)2 to a neutral soap -12 Refined neutral mineral oils of from 300-500 Saybolt at 100 F 85-83 Basic lead carbonate 5 (2) Cylinder stock 85 Lead naphthenate 10 Basic lead carbonate 5 In both cases the components are thoroughly mixed at a temperature not higher than F., any ordinary mill or agitator being sufllcient.

In all cases the oily and any other materials used are selected or neutralized so as to have no saponifying action on the carbonate and so that the latter remains present in a free state and within the limits stated.

It will be understood that the base is compounded with reference to the general characteristics required of the final product and is subject to variation in character or quantity, according to the practice in the art, to adapt the lubricant to the nature of the work. Th amount of carbonate requisite to produce the effect above referred to is also suflicient to impart to the lubricant a strong white color persisting even after long-continued use; which is to say, it does not turn black with wear, making it especially desirable from the point of cleanliness. lubricant-has the quality of producing a highly polished surface on the bearing faces of ordinary journals which is similar to that of the above mentioned patent and continues permanently with a noticeable reduction in the rate of wear.

I claim:

1. A lubricant of the class consisting of oil and GEORGE E. MERKLE.

Such 

